Copycat Meximelts
Copycat Meximelts are going to be your new favorite dinner, they are so super quick!
Copycat Meximelts are a drive thru favorite you can make at home! Melty cheese, flavorful beef and pico make these a family favorite!
Hey guys!! Can I talk to you a little bit about a guilty pleasure I have?
I love Taco Bell, Taco Bell=life! Every Friday night I look forward to some cheap tacos and Netflix bingeing with my husband, I mean is there anything more a busy stay at home mom could want at the end of a long week with 2 rambunctious boys?
Now I could eat Taco Bell every day (it technically would be cheaper than buying groceries) but I mean the drive thru ladies already know me by name which is a sign I already go there too much as it is.
Sooo I decided to make some of my drive thru favorites at home and share them with you guys!
Meximelts are my favorite and always have been. My grandma introduced me to them when I was younger and while most kids my age wanted chicken nugget kids meals, I wanted Meximelts.
These may be an overlooked item on Taco Bell’s menu but trust me they are amazing!
Meximelts are a perfect blend of seasoned ground beef, melty spicy cheese and pico de gallo, yum! The best part is all the cheese! These are super cheesy, full of melty, gooey cheese with a bit of spice, but just a little bit of spice, these are not too spicy at all. My picky eater kids who don’t like spice love these!!
We love recreating these at home because they are so easy to make, everyone loves them and they are a really quick meal. For a super authentic taste you can use the Taco Bell brand taco seasoning mix from your grocery store, however any taco seasoning store bought or homemade is fine.
The reason I use the microwave to melt the cheese as opposed to an oven is because the oven would make the shell crispy and you want it to be as soft as possible to really replicate the original Meximelt.
So the next time that Meximelt craving hits or you just want to do a different spin on taco night, try these Meximelts, they are a definite winner!
What I used to make these!
- Cheese grater: You can use pre-shredded to save time but sometimes it can be hard to find pre-shredded pepper jack, so I use my favorite grater for that.
- Copper Pan: I am in love with copper pans! They are perfectly non-stick making clean up a breeze!
- Taco Bell Taco Seasoning: Stock up and make tons of yummy copycat dinners.
RECIPE FAQS
Can I freeze these?
While I have not tried it; I think if properly wrapped these could freeze well! I also think they would be great made ahead and popped in the fridge to have on hand all week. A damp paper towel while microwaving will make them fresh again!
How could I freeze these?
I would wrap them individually in parchment paper, plastic wrap or aluminum foil and then pop them all into a freezer safe ziploc bag. I think they would last 2 months give or take.
Can I double this recipe?
This is such an easy recipe to double or even triple! Just double or the triple the ingredients and you are good to go!
Can I use different cheese?
You can use different shredded cheese, however for a truly authentic copycat the cheese I listed is best.
Can I use salsa instead of pico?
You can!!! Again it won’t be a perfect copycat but you can use salsa if you prefer.
Can I leave out the pico?
Of course!! Between you and me that is how I order it at Taco Bell, no pico!
Are these spicy?
Nope!! Even with the pepper jack these are not spicy. The pepper jack does give them a little kick but even my picky eaters who don’t like spice love these Meximelts. Now if you are still a little worried about the spice level you can certainly omit the pepper jack.
Can I make these spicier?
Yes!! If you want to add a little more heat you can do so by adding more pepper jack than colby, getting a spicier pico or by even just adding some Taco Bell hot sauce which you can buy right at the store, or if you’re like me you should have a drawer with plenty of condiment packets in there and I am sure there are some Taco Bell hot sauce packets in there.
Can I make these with ground turkey?
You sure can! You can lighten these up a bit by using ground turkey!
Ingredients
- Ground Beef – I like to use a lean ground beef for these.
- Taco Seasoning – I of course use the Taco Bell seasoning but use your favorite.
- Pepperjack Shredded – This is secret ingredient cheese for these Meximelts.
- Cheddar or Colby Cheese – Either of these will work fine but I prefer colby.
- Tortillas – This is a great way to use low carb tortillas, but any flour tortilla will work.
- Pico de gallo – You can make your own or use pre-made.
How to make Copycat Meximelts
- Brown and drain the ground beef.
- Season with taco seasoning.
- Place some cheddar cheese on each tortilla (these are supposed to be extra cheesy)
- Spoon on some of the beef filling.
- Top with shredded pepperjack.
- Spoon on a little pico de gallo.
- Roll each tortilla up and wrap in a slightly damp paper towel.
- Microwave 2 at a time for 1 minute.
- Serve and enjoy!
Want more copycat recipes? Check these out!!
- Copycat TacoBell Mexican Pizza
- Copycat Chick-Fil-A Nuggets
- Copycat Wendys Chili
- Copycat Egg McMuffin
- Copycat Capt D’s Fried Fish
Copycat Meximelts
Copycat Meximelts are a drive thru favorite you can make at home! Melty cheese, flavorful beef and pico make these a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 envelope taco seasoning or homemade equivalent
- 8 oz pepperjack shredded
- 8 oz cheddar or colby shredded
- 8-10 tortillas
- Pico de gallo -store bought or homemade
Instructions
- Brown and drain the ground beef.
- Season with taco seasoning.
- Place some cheddar cheese on each tortilla (these are supposed to be extra cheesy)
- Spoon on some of the beef filling.
- Top with shredded pepperjack.
- Spoon on a little pico de gallo.
- Roll each tortilla up and wrap in a slightly damp paper towel.
- Microwave 2 at a time for 1 minute.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 643Total Fat: 38gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 875mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 38g
Oh my gosh, I used to eat Meximelts when I was a kid. I can’t wait to give them a try at home.
I should not be looking at this right now, because it is dinner time and you are making me hungry! This is definitely right up my alley :)
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
You had me at melty cheese. Yummm. I’ve heard the term before, probably from Taco Bell, but never knew exactly what a Meximelt was!
I LOVE MEXIMELTS! Thank you!
I love Meximelts! So bummed when Taco Bell stopped carrying them! (Many years ago.)
I love meximelts. They were always my go to at Taco Bell. Sadly our store is terrible so I’m so glad I can just make these at home yummy..
I have a daughter who is into wraps and cheese… she’s going to love this. Thanks for bringing it to foodie friday.
I SURE DO LOVE this simple and delicious looking copycat recipe. Thanks so much for sharing at Weekend Potluck…please come back again soon.
Nice recipe…Since Taco bell removed the meximelt, I’ve started using a clothing steamer to melt my cheese and give that same ‘feel’ to the tortilla that TB use to have.
OHG this looks amazing. I love Mexican food…I’m going to have to try this. All these recipes look awesome! Thank so much for sharing it at Sewlicious Home Decor. Pinned to the party board. :)
I used to love these. I see in your photo you added tomato, is that something we should add? I also remember the strong Tate of cilantro is that something we should add?
In the photo there is pico de gallo added which has tomato, onion and cilantro which was included in the Taco Bell version. Here I just purchased premade pico and added that.
It’s pico de gallo. It has tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice
I meant *OMG! ha typo
I really seriously wish I had some meat thawed for this! Mmmm
I love these, and also the Mexican Pizza. So I cook up about 2 lbs. of ground beef, with chopped onions & put into a ziplock bag. When I decide to make something that calls for cooked ground beef, I scoop out the necessary amount and it thaws almost immediately. I add whatever additional flavorings I need for whatever I’m planning. HTH!
These look so good! We love Taco Bell, even though it’s nasty for you :) These look way better! Thanks for linking up with Let’s Get Real. :)
Oh, I love a good meximelt!! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe with us. And thanks so much for linking up at our Link it or Lump it party!
Amy @ http://www.delineateyourdwelling.com
Yum, I love Mexican food…and I love easy! ;) Thanks so much for sharing with us at Best of the Weekend. Pinned to our party board. :)
Oh yum! I love this new copycat series idea. I can’t wait to see what else you put in here. I want to try this one for sure, we love Taco bell. Thanks for sharing it on Snickerdoodle Sunday.
I FEEL a late night craving coming on. Love these!!
could you make these ahead and freeze them for an easy snack?
Sure! I have never frozen them but I think it should work out fine :)
Saved to make for hubby, he’s a Texan and loves Mexican food!!!
I would like to say THANK YOU for this Mexi Melt recipe. This now is my boyfriend favorite meal that I make and the fact that he could not stop obessing and telling me Thank You and this is his favorite meal and requesting to make it a staple in our meal plan makes me VERY happy. Thank You SO much for being a lifesaver. I will definitely becoming to your site for more lifesaver recipes that me and my boyfriend will enjoy on a budget.
Yay! I am glad you like it!! Thanks for stopping by :D
These look so yummy! A perfect recipe for my family! Thanks so much for sharing at the #mondayfudayparty! :)
Wow…not only do those melts look delicious but I really want to try the ginger soy ribs too!!!
Can’t wait to try these thats my favorite taco bell item
ohhhh these look seriously delish and cheesy!! nom :) We make soft wraps all the time, never thought to microwave them to make melts! Appreciate your sharing with Snickerdoodle Sunday!
Dropping by the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop (on Recipes for Our Daily Bread). I saw the word “Meximelts” and had to click. I had actually never heard of them. I think I might be in love…this looks so easy to make. I wonder if husband would count this as “cooking dinner”? I do make my own pico de gallo, though. (Most of the time…haha).
Jennie
p.s. I think I’m going to go pin this, and maybe check out your Pinterest page!
Oh they def count as cooking, just relaxed cooking lol!!! Hope you try them :D
These look absolutely delicious, and I know my picky four year old will love them without the spicy cheese too, I can’t wait to try these! Thanks for sharing!
I made this dish last night, and it was amazing! I did change a few things. Since I am trying to be a little more healthy, I switched the ground beef for ground turkey. Instead of the pepper jack cheese, I used Parmesan cheese. Lastly, I used a can of diced tomatoes and green chilies. This helped because normal Pico de Gallo has salt already added. The can I bought had no additives yet. There was enough flavor in the taco seasoning, so they came out delish! Thank you so much for your recipe!
So glad you liked it!! Thanks for stopping by :D
Made this tonight and I used a spicy pico. They were fantastic! I think I like them better than taco bells!!!
Yay!! I am so glad you liked them! Thanks for stopping by!
So glad I found this! The meximelt is the only thing I ever got at TB and I just found out they’ve discontinued it!! I’ll be making my own from now on-thanks!!
They are not on the menu here anymore. ☹️
They took them off the menu everywhere :( They were my favorite!
One of the workers at our local TB told me to order a cheese roll up, add beef…there’s the meximelt. I’ve made yours at home and they are DELISH!!! :)
I just loved these so much that I added them to my blog. My family can’t get enough of them. Come by and check out my entry of your lovely mexi melts. http://questfordelish.blogspot.com/2015/12/beef-burritos-aka-mexi-melts.html
I made these last week and wow! These were on point…my family wanted them the next day. Thank you!
I made these today for lunch on a Saturday. My boys even ate them and my husband loved them too.
Thanks!
Yay!! I am so glad you all liked them!! Thanks so much :)
Oh yum! I have a secret love affair with Taco Bell. Definitely all over the meximelts!
I’ve never had a Meximelt from Taco Bell, but now I feel like I’ll never be happy again until I have this homemade version. So good!!
Loooove these! And Chilitos, too! Do you remember those? I think the only difference is using cheddar cheese and a really large, thin tortilla. And, now I definitely need to make those, too haha.
Love it…have not had in years. My only question is I think you are missing cilantro, I think it gives it that unique taste. Could be wrong. Thanks for this.
Thank you! Taco Bell Meximelts were the only thing that settled my nausea while pregnant. I know… weird…but they did the trick. Can’t wait to try this home made version!
They are the best!! Hope you like this version!
I just loved it, I’m not only going to give it 5 stars. But, I’m going to share it with all my website’s followers on the social media. Thank you for giving me something useful to share it today!
These Meximelts are great thanks for the receipe! My favorite thing to order at Taco Bell!
Me too! So sad they got rid of them!
Hi from Ohio! I found your “Halfway Homemade” cookbook at the library today and made a list of several recipes that I *will* be trying, I have the book on my “buy” list and decided to check this web site for even more guilty pleasures. You’ve found a new friend, fan and follower because I’m halfway crazy about Life With The Crust Off!!! 5 star rating on this recipe, 6 star rating on this web site and cookbook!!!
Awwww you just made my day!!!! I am so glad you are enjoying the book and site!! I hope you enjoy the recipes you try!
I used to love Meximelts but they have gone downhill in the past few years. This recipe reminds me of what they USED to be. I can’t wait to try it! Thanks so much!
Thank you for stopping by!! Hope you like em!
nice one
I used to love taco bell but not anymore ….my Mexican food is much better than theirs lol……..I didn’t even realize they still had those ……Will be trying these at home soon . Thanks for sharing
It’s Nov. 2019. They have stopped making meximelts at most of the Taco Bell restaurants in my area which is Orlando, Fl. I was very upset until today when I saw your post! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Aww, I know I was so upset!! Hope this helps you get your Meximelt fix!
Nice recipe, I will try this recipe sure, because it seems very yummy.thanks
My 7 year old daughter is finally trying new things and realized she likes soft tacos. I then thought it would be fantastic to have a Meximelt and there has to be a copycat recipe. I was so happy to find yours! I do keto so I got low carb tortillas and boom! Used some grass-fed beef and easily fits into my meal plan. This used to be the only thing I would eat at Taco Bell till they discontinued it. Yummy!!
I just moved from Southern California to Southern Utah. About the only thing I dislike about the new digs is the fact that the lone Taco Bell has discontinued the Mexi-Melt. Boy, I miss them.
Made these tonight, sooooooo good! And so simple!
Thanks so much for this idea! My family loves Meximelts and these are great! Will definitely be making these often!
I used to buy several meximelts, line them up in a baking dish, pour enchilada sauce over them and more cheese, making beef enchiladas, Thanks for this recipe.
I have anxiety about the slightly damp paper towel part…I didn’t find any videos of someone doing it that way. I feel like I would just end up with wet paper towels lol do you wet them a little and wring them out? I’m really excited to try this recipe. Thanks!
I just very lightly dampen the paper towels :)
Since Taco Bell no longer has Meximelts I order the cheesy roll up and have them add beef. Sooooo good!!